San Francisco Oversize Photograph Collection, 1870-1990

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Summary

Creators:
Abstract:
Extent:
7,100 photographic prints
Language:
Preferred citation:

San Francisco Oversize Photograph Collection. San Francisco Public Library, San Francisco History Center

Background

Scope and content:

The artificial collection contains over 7,100 oversize photographic prints of San Francisco places, activities and cultural resources collected by the San Francisco History Center, San Francisco Public Library compiled from selections from the San Francisco News-Call Bulletin Photo Morgue, gifts of donors, and purchases. The collection spans more than a century of San Francisco from the early 1870s to 1990s. The images provide comprehensive information about many activities and events important to San Francisco and its 20th century growth. The photographs document neighborhoods; streetscapes; significant landmarks; cultural events: theater, celebrations, parades, fairs and expositions; activism: protests and strikes; buildings: residences, hotels, nightclubs, resorts; and means of transportation: railroads, streetcars, airplanes, automobiles, ships and boats. Identified photographers, photography studios, and publishers including San Francisco News-Call Bulletin staff photographers, Gabriel Moulin/Moulin Studios, Pacific & Atlantic Photos, Acme Newspictures, Associated Press, Wide World, International News Photos, United Press International, United States Army, United States Navy, Redwood Empire Association, and Aero Photographers. There are also photographs made by or for the companies they depict. Each listing represents a file containing from one to more than fifty photographs per listing. Photography styles include aerials, professional commissioned photography, and news photos. Many photographs have identifying information on the verso such as description, date, provenance or photographer information, and/or a caption for the corresponding San Francisco News-Call Bulletin newspaper article. A small percentage of photographs are unmarked with no identification of photographer.

Biographical / historical:

Collected and assembled by the San Francisco History Center, San Francisco Public Library.

Acquisition information:
Collected by the San Francisco History Center from various sources, including the San Francisco News-Call Bulletin Photo Morgue, donations and purchases.

Access and use

Restrictions:

The collection is available for use during Photo Desk hours.

Terms of access:

All requests for permission to publish from photographs must be submitted in writing to the Photo Curator. Permission for publication is given on behalf of the San Francisco Public Library as the owner of the physical items.

Preferred citation:

San Francisco Oversize Photograph Collection. San Francisco Public Library, San Francisco History Center

Location of this collection:
San Francisco Public Library
100 Larkin Street
San Francisco, CA 94102, US
Contact:
(415) 557-4567
sfhistory@sfpl.org
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